A TRIO of North East businesses have collaborated to launch the first UK store of a Scandinavian retail giant in Newcastle Airport.

A TRIO of North East businesses have collaborated to launch the first UK store of a Scandinavian retail giant in Newcastle Airport.

Airport Retail Group (ARG) is renowned across Northern Europe and its home country of Norway and for offering high-quality fashion brands such as Hugo Boss, Lyle & Scott, Eton, Tommy Hilfiger and GANT.

Its strategy is to open stores in prime airport locations to reach style-conscious business and family travellers.

Spearheading its ambitions to expand into the UK market, ARG has just opened its first UK airport fashion store in Newcastle with the help of three regionally based businesses – law firm Hay & Kilner, accountants Ryecroft Glenton and PR and marketing consultants Karol Marketing Group.

Each appointed through a succession of referrals, the trio provide a full range of business development services which has introduced ARG to the UK marketplace.

Steven Fallon from ARG said: “We chose to open our first UK store in Newcastle International Airport as the North East population reflects the demographic of the rest of the UK. We have ambitions to roll out our successful formula of providing high-quality fashion to discerning customers within the UK’s executive and family markets.”

Ryecroft Glenton, which has offices in Newcastle, Morpeth and Whitley Bay, was appointed by ARG following recommendation by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and is responsible for monthly bookkeeping, payroll, VAT advice and month-end information.

Deborah Graham, partner of Ryecroft Glenton, said: “It’s been incredibly exciting to have been involved in launching the first ARG store in the UK and working with the team at concept stage right through to seeing the doors open.

“We have a wealth of specialist retail knowledge and are delighted to be leading such a great team of local businesses in working together to advise ARG on the demands and requirements of the UK marketplace.”

Located past security in Newcastle Airport, between Accessorize and the duty-free shop, the luxury store offers a large selection of designer fashion brands for men, women and children as well as a host of accessories and travel items.

Newcastle-based Hay & Kilner is guiding ARG through complex UK employment regulation and will be advising on HR issues while Karol Marketing, also based in Newcastle, is responsible for marketing and raising awareness of the store through PR activity, retail promotions and in-store merchandising.

Stefan Lepkowski, managing director of Karol Marketing, said: “We are excited by the opportunity to influence direction over ARG’s strategy for expansion across the UK and into wider Europe.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to support such a unique and fast-growing company on its first venture into a new marketplace in the UK.”